Marietta D'Agostino has been hired to fill the position left vacant in November when John Thiele was dismissed.

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) _ Maine's medical marijuana program has a new manager.
The Portland Press Herald reports that Marietta D'Agostino was hired to fill the position left vacant in November when John Thiele was dismissed. She began work last week.

D'Agostino has spent her career mostly in social services, working as a child protective caseworker, a juvenile corrections officer and a captain at the Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset.

The Department of Health and Human Services says her ``diverse experience in developing policy and program management, as well as a familiarity with law enforcement, makes her a good fit'' for the job.

Maine voters legalized marijuana for medical purposes in 1999. In 2009, they approved a law creating a statewide network of marijuana dispensaries.